Source: Times (London), PinkNews, Stonewall press release
Religious leaders in England are out of touch with what people in their congregations think about their fellow church members who are gay and lesbian.

A report commissioned by UK LGBT advocacy group Stonewall concludes that faith leaders are failing to reflect what the people in the pews really think about gays.

The report, Love Thy Neighbour, written by academics at Leeds University, says that Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and Christian believers are "significantly more moderate" in their views on homosexuality than is often alleged on their behalf.

Based on interviews with Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and Christian participants from across the north of England, the research was published deliberately to coincide with the Lambeth Conference, the 10-yearly meeting of 650 Anglican bishops from around the world, at Canterbury, Kent.

Ben Summerskill, Stonewall Chief Executive, said: "Witnessing the saddening divisions in the Church of England demonstrated at this week's Lambeth Conference, it's telling that so many people of faith say they actually live, work and socialize with lesbian and gay people, and that significantly reduces negative ideas about difference."

The Lambeth Conference has highlighted the schism in the Anglican church over homosexuality.

260 bishops have declined invitations because of the Church's stance on homosexuality.

The only openly gay Bishop in the Anglican Church, Gene Robinson of New Hampshire was denied an invitation to Lambeth because of his sexuality.

The Stonewall report suggests that civil partnerships for same-sex couples had helped increase acceptance for the LGBT community across British society.

This confirms the findings of another report published in 2007 by Stonewall, Living Together, a survey of 2,000 people found that most followers hold much more tolerant views on gay rights than their religious leaders often claimed on their behalf.

84% of those interviews who were religious disagreed with the statement "homosexuality is morally unacceptable in all circumstances."

Participants made a number of recommendations. They included acknowledging that gay people of faith exist and listening to the quieter voices from within faith communities, rather than just those who 'make the most noise'. They suggested that organizations working towards community cohesion should make more effort to listen to all people of faith, not just claimed religious leaders.

The report says: "When the perceived tension between faith and sexual orientation is discussed in public, the agenda often becomes so dominated by aggression and sensationalism that levels of respect between faith communities and gay communities are overlooked."

Those interviewed for the report said that new legal protections for lesbian and gay people, including civil partnerships, have had a "civilizing effect" on British society. The increased acceptance of gay people on a national and political level has also had a positive impact on attitudes at a local level, they said.

Full article: Faith leaders out of touch about gays | Times (London)
Religious people not as homophobic as leaders think reports Stonewall | PinkNews
Claimed tension between religion and gay people over-emphasised by religious leaders, suggests new research | Stonewall press release